In-vehicle gaming system

Abstract

The in-vehicle gaming system is comprised of vehicle controls that are adapted to provide both vehicle control during a normal driving mode and game control inputs during a gaming mode. At least one of the controls is selectively disengaged from the vehicle control during the gaming mode. A display provides an indication to the driver of the game environment in response to the game control inputs.

1. A self-contained in-vehicle gaming system in a wheeled vehicle comprising:
 at least one in-vehicle control member controlling the wheeled vehicle during a normal driving mode, wherein, when selectively disengaged from the vehicle control, the at least one in-vehicle control member instead provides game control inputs during a gaming mode in which the wheeled vehicle's wheels are stationary; and 
 a display located in the wheeled vehicle for providing an indication of a game environment in response to the game control inputs. 
 
   
   
     2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is one of an automobile, a bus, or an aircraft. 
   
   
     3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one in-vehicle control member comprises at least of a steering wheel, a gas pedal, a brake pedal, a clutch pedal, and a shifter. 
   
   
     4. The system of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of in-vehicle control members, wherein the plurality of in-vehicle control members are all disengaged during the gaming mode. 
   
   
     5. The system of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of in-vehicle control members includes a steering wheel, and wherein only the steering wheel is disengaged during the gaming mode. 
   
   
     6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the display comprises a rearview mirror display that displays the game environment. 
   
   
     7. The system of  claim 6  wherein the rearview mirror display shows only that portion of the game environment associated with a rear view of the wheeled vehicle. 
   
   
     8. A self-contained in-vehicle gaming system for use with a wheeled vehicle that physically transports passengers comprising:
 vehicle controls that provide vehicle control input during normal vehicle operation; 
 a game controller located within the wheeled vehicle for selectively disabling the wheeled vehicle controls that provide vehicle control input so as to disable normal vehicle operation and selectively enabling the same vehicle controls to provide game control inputs during game operation, in which the wheeled vehicle's wheels are stationary; 
 wherein the game controller further controls operation of the gaming system in response to the game control inputs from the disabled vehicle controls during game operation; 
 at least one display located within the vehicle and coupled to the game controller for providing an indication of a game environment in response to the game control input; and 
 a sound system coupled to the game controller for providing an aural response to the game control input. 
 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 8  wherein the game controller provides feedback to the disabled vehicle controls, the feedback including dynamic steering wheel resistance in response to game operation. 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 8  wherein the at least one display comprises at least one of a two-way mirror coupled to a display panel, a visor display in a helmet, a heads-up display on a windshield, a display on glasses, an LCD screen, or an external display. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 8  wherein each mirror in the wheeled vehicle comprises a two-way mirror in front of a display that shows only that portion of the game environment associated with the respective mirror. 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 8  wherein the wheeled vehicle further comprises vehicle gauges for indicating vehicle speed and status, the vehicle gauges coupled to the game controller for providing indications from the game controller in response to gaming control input from the disabled vehicle controls during the game operation. 
   
   
     13. The system of  claim 8  wherein the game controller accepts update game code from one of a DVD, a CD, a memory cartridge, or over a network connection. 
   
   
     14. The system of  claim 13  wherein the network connection comprises a wireless connection. 
   
   
     15. The system of  claim 8  wherein the vehicle controls further comprise an ignition switch that is coupled to the game controller and causes the game controller to activate the game operation. 
   
   
     16. A method for operating a self-contained in-vehicle gaming system with a wheeled vehicle having gauges and vehicle controls that operate in a normal driving mode, the method comprising;
 initiating a game mode in which the wheeled vehicle's wheels are stationary; 
 selectively disengaging at least one vehicle control from the normal driving mode in response to the game mode initiation, wherein, when selectively disengaging from the normal driving mode, the at least one vehicle control instead provides game control inputs during the game mode; 
 generating a game environment within the wheeled vehicle that is displayed to a driver; 
 accepting game inputs from the disengaged vehicle controls; and 
 adapting the game environment in response to the game inputs. 
 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 16  wherein the game mode is initiated by selecting game mode on a vehicle ignition switch. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 16  wherein the at least one vehicle control disengaged comprises the steering wheel and the gauges. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 16  wherein displaying the game environment to the driver includes creating a video display and an aural output. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 16  and further including generating indications of vehicle status on at least one vehicle gauge in response to the game environment and inputs from the disengaged vehicle controls. 
   
   
     21. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for controlling a programmable self-contained in-vehicle gaming system in a wheeled vehicle comprising:
 initiating a game mode in which the wheeled vehicle' wheels are stationary; 
 selectively disengaging at least one vehicle control from a normal driving mode in response to the game mode initiation, wherein, when selectively disengaging from the normal driving mode, the at least one vehicle control instead provides game control inputs during the game mode; 
 generating a game environment that is displayed within the wheeled vehicle to a driver; 
 accepting game inputs from the disengaged vehicle controls; and 
 adapting the game environment in response to the game inputs.